Legislative Priorities Report December 31, 2021

A little over a year ago, former Chairman Allen West asked me to write a weekly email to the Republican voters of Texas regarding the progress of the Republican Party of Texas Legislative Priorities.  I remember thinking at the time that it would be a challenge to write something that often!  Thankfully, that turned out not to be the case and, as the session began, the Legislative Priorities Committee had plenty to report on.  Chairman Rinaldi has graciously consented to allow me the privilege of continuing to write these reports.  As we transition from a year of legislative sessions to a year of midterm elections, our reports will come only as needed. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you. I am truly grateful for the support of those who have read the reports faithfully, shared them with others and, more importantly, took action.

It has been a busy year for RPT and the Legislative Priorities Committee. Prior to this year, many Republicans didn’t realize the party even had legislative priorities.  So, we began with an explanation of how they are selected and what our priorities were for the 87^th Legislature.

We had no idea when the regular session started there would wind up being three Special Sessions, and that we would still at the end of the year be calling for a fourth to protect our citizens from loss of jobs and medical tyranny.  We remain hopeful Governor Abbott will call another session to pass a ban on vaccine mandates, and to address remaining Legislative Priorities like banning pediatric sex transitions and reinstating felony penalties for election fraud that were reduced in the election integrity law.

When Democrats, including many House committee chairs, fled Texas to break quorum in an unsuccessful attempt to kill election integrity legislation, it brought to the forefront the issue of whether Democrats should continue to chair committees in the Texas House.  Though it wasn’t often discussed a year ago, the grassroots have brought this issue to light and will have the opportunity to vote on it as a ballot proposition for the March primary ballot.

As we head into 2022, I want to personally express my gratitude to the many Texans I have had the pleasure of meeting this past year.  It has been such a blessing to speak across the state at your clubs and events on our Legislative Priorities.  I am overwhelmed at your kindness and support of these reports.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making every call, sending every email, and for sharing our emails with your friends.  It has made a difference, and our elected officials are now aware that their constituents care deeply about the priorities chosen by our convention delegates.  We are setting a goal to pass all our Legislative Priorities in the 2023 session, as we should when Republicans hold a majority in both houses of the Legislature and every statewide office!

Finally, if you found our Legislative Priorities reports valuable, please consider donating to the Republican Party of Texas help us continue our work.  As you know, our Texas GOP is committed to our state platform, liberty, unalienable rights, limited government, protecting the lives and innocence of children, protecting parents and families, traditional values, and a strong Texas which includes a border that is protected.  The state party has a headquarters office in Austin, with excellent staff who believe in our principles and work hard to support all the county chairs, SREC, precinct chairs, and other volunteers across the state.  They make sure the primary and general elections are conducted in each county, and support those working the elections.  They run our marketing and social media campaigns, and make the voter contacts necessary to win elections. In short, they do all the things we need to help our many activists and elected officials to keep Texas red.

Whatever amount you can donate will be put to excellent use to keep the lights on, pay the staff, and pay our other monthly bills.  There is a red donate button at the bottom of this email, and all the monies collected there go straight to the state party.  Thank you for anything you can do!

In 2022 we will continue to advocate for our Legislative Priorities and work toward an overwhelming victory in the 2022 midterm elections. We will have much work to do as primary season ramps up, so spend time with your family and rest as we continue this Christmas season of thankfulness for the birth of our Savior, and anticipate a critical new year as we fight to hold the great state of Texas.

For God and Texas,

Jill Glover
SREC, SD 12
Chair, SREC Legislative Priorities Committee